So much erasure of values and nuanced world views happened under colonial influence. I am happy to be here to support and understand the Filipino values Jen. Extraordinary series!
I know right! The age old perception and stereotypes are so hard to fight. Being non white means proving those stereotypes wrong which innately make them more important than they should be!
When I was an undergrad, there was a movement to generate theories on Filipino Psychology. Sadly, our colonial mentality was also looking down on our own scientists as inferior and we ended up defaulting to Western theories on human behaviors. I wish I knew better then.
I think the tradition of discredit is rooted in staunch belief that we people of color do not know what is better for us or for our communities. Doesn’t surprise me that it extends to study of science and psychology too. I hope you are unlearning such harmful beliefs to follow the authentic path in your practice.
It definitely is a process - this unlearning and healing thing. It is also a process quite opposite to "humbling" myself. Like for instance, I was more inclined to evaluate these cultural maxims in a very critical and negative way so the process of writing about it positively with pride is quite a foreign concept.
I can completely relate to that! The sense of belonging and love for what is rightfully ours can feel foreign specially because we are non western people who were westernised by our cultural conditioning or made to feel shame for being who we are.
Jen thank you this amazing post! I found the colonialist throughout history isn’t truly correct when it comes down to cultures and heritages. When I was in high school I had a best friend from the Philippines 🇵🇭 and we learned so much from each other with our different cultures. Truly honor to share such a special bond.
Chondra - usually the misunderstandings stemmed from interpretation of cultures using a different mindset of the colonizers throughout history. Then, since those same groups are the ones in power, the incorrect interpretation persisted.
This is so good, Jen. We need a word for this in English.
I've moved countries twice and coasts once. Left abusive corporate life to start my own business. You, and your beautiful phrase, described my feelings. But I had no word for it.
Thanks John. Although there is a translation in mere words, it does not quite encompass the spirit of it, isn't it? That's what's curious about cultures and why it has to be nurtured for its uniqueness. We are stronger as a humankind for it.
Thanks for sharing this, Jen. There is so much meaning lost in translation or when filtered by other worldviews. This expression, from the perspective of your culture, carries acceptance, faith and trust. A feeling that you will always have what you need to face whatever lies ahead.
It made me think of the acceptance of a "nonlinear" view of Life: we can choose our shorter-term steps and take action toward some further-out trajectory, but we can't know exactly what will happen as we move forward. We just have to be responsible for "taking the leap" and moving forward in the direction we hope to go.
So glad you liked it. Yes! to Life as nonlinear! I'm working on a book looking at the brain as a nonlinear system rather than a collection of brain-bits and exploring how looking at ourselves from that perspective applies to everything else Living in our lives. So I'm kind of attached to it :-)
"the phrase does not mean surrender but a loud illustration of bravery and their sense of adventure" -- thank you for sharing this! I love reading about language ever, at all, but especially empowerment of language, ideas, culture, and so much that power has tried to erase. Beautiful, Jen.
Loved this, Jen! Thank you for sharing. 😊🤗
Thank you for reading Tracy.
So much erasure of values and nuanced world views happened under colonial influence. I am happy to be here to support and understand the Filipino values Jen. Extraordinary series!
So much erasure indeed and so much brainwashing too, even after several hundreds of years it is still there
I know right! The age old perception and stereotypes are so hard to fight. Being non white means proving those stereotypes wrong which innately make them more important than they should be!
When I was an undergrad, there was a movement to generate theories on Filipino Psychology. Sadly, our colonial mentality was also looking down on our own scientists as inferior and we ended up defaulting to Western theories on human behaviors. I wish I knew better then.
I think the tradition of discredit is rooted in staunch belief that we people of color do not know what is better for us or for our communities. Doesn’t surprise me that it extends to study of science and psychology too. I hope you are unlearning such harmful beliefs to follow the authentic path in your practice.
It definitely is a process - this unlearning and healing thing. It is also a process quite opposite to "humbling" myself. Like for instance, I was more inclined to evaluate these cultural maxims in a very critical and negative way so the process of writing about it positively with pride is quite a foreign concept.
I can completely relate to that! The sense of belonging and love for what is rightfully ours can feel foreign specially because we are non western people who were westernised by our cultural conditioning or made to feel shame for being who we are.
Thank you both, my teachers, for helping me see the world through your eyes.
That’s a very high praise John. Thank you for always reading and caring about these stories. 🙏
Jen thank you this amazing post! I found the colonialist throughout history isn’t truly correct when it comes down to cultures and heritages. When I was in high school I had a best friend from the Philippines 🇵🇭 and we learned so much from each other with our different cultures. Truly honor to share such a special bond.
Chondra - usually the misunderstandings stemmed from interpretation of cultures using a different mindset of the colonizers throughout history. Then, since those same groups are the ones in power, the incorrect interpretation persisted.
That is very true! Mindset is the majority the problem along with the information we receive. Or choose to take in.
This is so good, Jen. We need a word for this in English.
I've moved countries twice and coasts once. Left abusive corporate life to start my own business. You, and your beautiful phrase, described my feelings. But I had no word for it.
Thanks John. Although there is a translation in mere words, it does not quite encompass the spirit of it, isn't it? That's what's curious about cultures and why it has to be nurtured for its uniqueness. We are stronger as a humankind for it.
I love learning about different cultures this way. More like this please Jen!
Will do my very best. I have started listing them last night so I have a few on the line-up. Thanks again!
Yes!!
Thanks for sharing this, Jen. There is so much meaning lost in translation or when filtered by other worldviews. This expression, from the perspective of your culture, carries acceptance, faith and trust. A feeling that you will always have what you need to face whatever lies ahead.
it is refreshing to read your take on it Julie. thank you!
Thank you so much for sharing Bahala Na. 🙏
It made me think of the acceptance of a "nonlinear" view of Life: we can choose our shorter-term steps and take action toward some further-out trajectory, but we can't know exactly what will happen as we move forward. We just have to be responsible for "taking the leap" and moving forward in the direction we hope to go.
ooo i love this perspective too! i love that you mentioned non-linear view as, really, that is what characterizes life anyway, isn't it?
So glad you liked it. Yes! to Life as nonlinear! I'm working on a book looking at the brain as a nonlinear system rather than a collection of brain-bits and exploring how looking at ourselves from that perspective applies to everything else Living in our lives. So I'm kind of attached to it :-)
"the phrase does not mean surrender but a loud illustration of bravery and their sense of adventure" -- thank you for sharing this! I love reading about language ever, at all, but especially empowerment of language, ideas, culture, and so much that power has tried to erase. Beautiful, Jen.
wow empowering writing!